On a recent Wednesday morning, I joined several other volunteers to tend plants at the Native Plant Nursery at Hidden Villa. I carefully removed weeds from plant pots, while Ann potted up several flats of native irises and Melanie tended the stock plants.
As I pulled weeds and my hands brushed the leaves of the plants, I was reminded of one of the most appealing qualities of natives: their lovely foliage fragrances. Volunteering at the nursery is also a great way to learn more about growing and propagating natives.
I also talked with Ray Deutsch, who along with Jean Struthers manages the nursery. The nursery welcomes volunteers every Wednesday from 10 to 1 in the summer (12-3 in the winter), rain or shine. Besides Ray and Jean, 4 or 5 regular volunteers and various irregulars have kept it running for over a decade. Knowledge of plants is not necessary; your willingness to help is all that's required, Ray said.
On semiannual sale days in spring and fall, 40-50 volunteers manage parking, help with plant sales, and provide expert information on native plants. The sales provide the bulk of the income for the Santa Clara Valley chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS). The nursery prices its plants competitively so as not to undersell local native nurseries.
Most of the plants at the nursery are grown from cuttings and seed, and the volunteers are continually trying to find new garden-worthy plants. With plants gleaned from many sources among the members, the volunteers can try plants that commercial nurseries don't have and sell them in smaller quantities. If a plant doesn't do well in their own gardens, however, they don't sell it, Ray said.
Native-plant enthusiasts vie to be first in line when the plant sale opens. It's hard to predict what will sell each time, though, Ray said. As with most nurseries, flowering plants that are in bloom are easy to sell. To help sell plants that are not in bloom, the volunteers provide photos of the flowers.
Some of the highlights of the upcoming fall sale, in addition to the usual range of perennials, grasses, bulbs, shrubs, and trees, include:
If you're a first-time nursery volunteer, before showing up get in touch with Jean at 650.941.2586 or JeanStruthers@att.net or Ray at 650.365.6136 or ray.deutsch@yahoo.ca. Bring gardening gloves, clippers, sun protection, and your lunch. Look for the greenhouse behind the visitor's center at Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Road in Los Altos Hills.
© 2011 Tanya Kucak